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Day 18 Assignment
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Joe’s middle scenes…
I am wondering if this is “enough”, but I’m erring on the side of “less is more”. and I am reminding myself that anything that doesnt make sense now can be fixed in rewrites. That is very helpful to get over my “its not good enough so don’t settle for THAT” censoring inner voice that I’ve been enslaved to over the past 20 years…
INT. RV ON HIGHWAY
CHUCK
When we get to a Walmart, we’ll park. We’ll be safe for the night, and if any police come a callin’, we’ll tell them anything they want to know.
EXT. KID IN TESLA
Kid tries to move car in reverse. He hits the gears really hard. It doesn’t work.
He finally busts the sunroof open and climbs out the top.
He walks over to the bag. Inside is a bottle of water and some beef jerky. He eats and drinks ravenously.
He looks at the car. Then he looks around at the barren desert, and sighs.
INT. RV IN WALMART PARKING LOT
Chuck pulls in and parks while Ruth hangs up the phone.
RUTH
Well, I told them where he is. I told them where we are. I’d like to think this whole nightmare might be over. Are we staying here for the night?
CHUCK
Hell no. As far as I’m concerned it ain’t over until I deliver you safely to the Sunny shores of San Diego.
RUTH
Oh dear heavens, aren’t you exhausted? Don’t you need a little rest?
CHUCK
I won’t get a damn bit of rest knowing he’s still out there! We’ll rest here a little bit, then I’ll drive all night if I have to.
CUT TO:
Chuck is snoring on the bed in the back of the RV. Ruth reads a book about psychologuy and eats a fruit salad.
EXT. TESLA IN DESERT
Kid has gathered wood and brush and is stuffing it under the tires. He gets back in the car and revs the engine.
Nothing.
He switches back and forth, and rocks the car forward and back as hard as he can.
The car rocks, but then settles into the sand.
He drinks some more water and jerky, and then tries again.
The Tesla finally pulls free, slowly slugging backwards. Then it launches free with a backwards jolt.
The second it lands on the ground, the kid switches gears and drives forward, straight for the road.
PLACEHOLDER: CHUCK AND RUTH AT WALMART. CHUCK CONSIDERS BUYING A GUN.
EXT. HIGHWAY ON HILLY TERRAIN
CHUCK
How long has it been now since we left the Walmart?
RUTH
3 hours.
CHUCK
You think he’s still stuck there?
Ruth looks up to the top of an upcoming hill.
RUTH
No. I don’t.
The Tesla is at the top of the hill, like a vulture perched on a mountaintop. It starts down the road, chasing them.
CHUCK
Ahh hell. Well we got plenty of gas, and he hasn’t learned his lesson yet I see.
Chuck floors it.
RUTH
What are you- AHHHHH
CHUCK
I’m going to outrun the little shit. he can chase me all the way through Barstow for all I care.
They move closer and closer to each other, with the Tesla moving perpendicular to an intersection.
Chuck doesn’t flinch, but keeps moving to the intersection.
Chuck gets there first and passes him by just a few carlengths. The Tesla screeches past.
Chuck drives past a sign with a truck icon on a steep slope.
The RV starts descending, steeper, steeper.
The Tesla appears in Chucks Rearview mirror.
INTERCUT BETWEEN TESLA AND RV AND HIGHWAY
RUTH
Please slow down!
CHUCK
So long as he’s behind us, no way.
The Tesla gets closer, and closer.
CHUCK
Its ok, there’s always a leveling at the bottom of a hill.
Another sign for a Truck Runoff exit.
The kid presses a button on his phone.
A small utility truck crosses quickly in front of Chuck and spills a barrel of rocks and metal and glass across the highway, then disappears.
Chuck hits the breaks, and hydroplanes through the rubble.
He turns quickly into the truck runuff. His tires POP and HISS.
CHUCK
That milennial pice of sh-
He steers the RV and comes to a halt.
Steam or smoke creeps out of the hood.
Fluid leaks into the desert dirt.
The Tesla flies into the scene at full speed.
the Tesla spins circles around the stranded RV, showing off its high-tech wheels and shiny exterior. It makes other cool electric sounds as it comes to a halt in the open space in front of the RV.
Chuck and Ruth stare at it. Not saying a word.
The Tesla abruptly starts up again, and does a few victory donuts in the desert sand before simply driving off.
Chuck gets out of the RV. He pops the hood and observes the damage. He falls on all fours and looks underneath, observing the leaking fluid soaking into the desert floor.
He covers his face with his hands and cries out with sadness and defeat.
Ruth gets out of the car and walks over to him.
RUTH
Are you ok?
CHUCK
I failed you. I failed you Ruthie!
He sobs, a broken man. Ruth cradles him, showing him nothing but empathy… for now.
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